Soccer: Waitakere appoint two new coaches

Waitakere United have appointed Paul Temple and central defender Brian Shelley as co-coaches for the 2013-14 season. Photo: Shane Wenzlick

Waitakere United have appointed Paul Temple and central defender Brian Shelley as co-coaches for the 2013-14 football season.

The 2012/13 national league minor premiers have moved quickly to replace Paul Marshall, who stepped down last month after declining an "extremely reduced amount'' to oversee the ASB Premiership and O-League campaigns.

Temple was the assistant coach under Marshall last season and has extensive coaching experience, though mostly at age-group level. He began coaching aged 25 and got his big break in 2008 when he coached the New Zealand side in the inaugural Under-17 Women's World Cup held in this country.

Irish centre-back Shelley, who holds a UEFA B coaching license, was a mainstay of the Waitakere defensive line last year and will act as a player-coach.

The 31-year-old was signed by Marshall from the Victorian State League in Australia last year, and boasts UEFA Cup and Champions League experience from his time as a professional in Ireland and England.

It means Waitakere will have their third coaching team in as many seasons. Neil Emblen resigned from the post last year after being told he was unable to combine the job with his international duties. After some discussion, both parties had a change of heart and Emblen eventually applied again, missing out to Marshall.

Marshall guided the team to three domestic trophies last season and also dominated rivals Auckland City, losing only two of seven derby clashes - though they lost the OFC Champions League final, missing a ticket to the Club World Cup.

"There has been a number of changes at the club over the off-season so we are delighted Brian and Paul will be coaching the team this season,'' Waitakere chief executive Bill MacGowan said. ``They are very experienced for young coaches, have great enthusiasm for the challenge ahead and we are confident they will take the team forward.''